Motivating change: Testing an integrated model of adolescent risk-taking
Date
2025
Authors
Geddes, Otis
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Abstract
Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death and disability among Canadian adolescents and are often the result of preventable risk-taking behaviours. While much research has focused on adolescent risk from a neurodevelopmental perspective, behaviour change theories from social and cognitive psychology offer valuable and complimentary insights. This study tested a theory-based model of change in intentions to take risks, combining self-determination theory and the theory of planned behavior. Drawing on longitudinal data from 353 high-school (MAge 15.56, SD = 0.78), latent change modeling was used to examine shifts in motivation, attitudes, social norms, perceived control, and intentions after an injury-prevention program. Results showed significant increases in motivation, attitudes, norms, and intentions, supporting the program’s effectiveness. Links between these changes, such as increases in autonomous motivation predicting stronger social norms around risk-taking, also offered partial support for the proposed model. These findings advance our understanding of adolescent decision-making and suggest that targeting motivation, social norms, and perceived control may strengthen injury-prevention efforts.
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Keywords
motivation, risk-taking, adolescence